Apparatus for cleaning conveyers



March 24, 1953 o. sANDBERG APPARATUS FOR CLEANING coNvEYERs original Fiid sept. 18, 194e 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fhummmli AMJ mb .l N 1d y f.

March 24, 1953 o. sANDBl-:RG 2,632,561

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CONVEYERS Original Filed Sept. 18, 1946 K l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illllllr March 24, 1953 o. SANDBERG 2,632,561

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CONVEYERS Original Filed Sept. 18, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 O. SANDBERG APPARATUS FOR LEANING CONVEYERS Original Filed Sept. 18, v191116 March 24, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ffy March 24, 1953 l o. sANDBERG 253255,61

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CONVEYERS Original Filed Sept. 18, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A El Patented Mar. 24, 1953 OFFICE APPARATUS Foa CLEANING ooNvEYEns Oscar Sandberg, Toledo,'0hio, assignor to Lynch Corporation, Anderson, Ind., a corporationof Indiana Original application September 18, 1946, Serial No. 697,781. Divided and this application No- 4 vember 28, 1949, Serial No. A129,843

This yinvention relates to` an apparatus for cleaning portions of a conveyor which had previously contained an article Jwhich is: sticky or gummy, such as jellyrolls, iced cakes or sticky candy. This particular application is a division of my copending application which issued as Patent No. 2,512,073, dated June`20, 1950.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for cleaning pockets of a wrapping machine which is simple in construction and operation, has few moving parts and requires very little power ,for its operation. y

It is another object of the invent'on to provide a rotating brush for cleaning pockets of a wrapping machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a rotary brush for cleaning the pockets of a wrapping machine wherein the brush is moved through the pocket in one direction without rotating and is rotated by its contact with the pocket when it moves therethrough in the opposite direction; and, furthermore, to provide a reservoirl of liquid below the brush, through which the brush moves and in which the brush rotates for cleaning the same.`

' It is still another object of the inventionto provide a pocket cleaner which may be applied to existing machines having article receiving receptacles similar to those 'shown herein.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the .various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one end of the improved packaging machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the remainder of packaging machine, with the wrapping` mechanism omitted for the sake of clarity;

Y Figure 3 `is an end view of the machine taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure'4 is a partial top plan view of the ma- Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure l; Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6 6 of Figure 4;

' Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line l-l of Figure 4; Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the cleaning brush and part of the mechanism associated therewith; and q Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the brush and its mechanismtaken on linev 9-9 of Figure 8.

10 Claims. (Cl. 198-'229) i Referring specifically to the drawing for a detailed `description of the invention, it is to be noted that this invention is related to and may be used with the packaging machine shown in my copending application, Serial No. 654,079, filed March 13, 1946, now Patent No. 2,567,405, although not limited to use with such a machine.

As bestshown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the machine is mounted on a base plate II which supports a number of heavy upright structural members I2, which in turn support various shafts and equipment, referred to in detail later. Furthermore, the members I2 support a pair of parallel heavy rods I3 near the top of the members I2, and the rods I3, in turn, support conveyors et cetera.

` An electric motor I 4 is supported on one of the structural members I2 and drives a large pulley I5, which in turn drives a smaller pulley I6 by means of a belt Il. The smaller pulley I6 rotates a pinion gear I8, which engages with and drives a larger gear I 9 secured to a main drive shaft 36 corresponding to shaft 36 in my aforesaid copending application, Serial No. 654,079, filed March `13, 1946, now Patent No. 2,567,405.

Referring to Figure 2, the right-hand end of shaft 36 is journalled in one of the end supporting members I2 and theend thereof is provided with a bevel gear 2| which drives a cooperating bevel gear 22 secured to a horizontal shaft 23. A sprocket 24 is secured to shaft 23 and drives a sprocket 25 secured to a horizontal shaft 26 through a chain 2l, the arrow adjacent the chain 2l indicating its direction of movement.

VThe shaft 26 rotates a holding cam 28 and a crank-arm 29,' which are both secured to shaft 26, and a shaft 3| is driven through a Geneva movement,` including a disc 32 having notches. 33 therein which are engaged by a crank-pin 34 on crank-arm ,29. Shaft 3| is, therefore, driven intermittently. A sprocket 35 is driven by shaft 3I and sprocket 35 drives a sprocket 35a intermittently through a chain 3l. Sprocket 35a rotates a'shaft 38,supporte d on bracket 40, on

Y Y chain 4I passes over idler sprockets 43 and 44 and over a large idler wheel 45. The idler pulleys 43 and 144 are journalled on shafts 46 and 4l sup- 5 ported .from rods I3 and bracket 48, respectively.

The idlerwheel 45 is journalled on a shaft 49,

3 which is supported by arms 5I secured to rods I3 by couplings 52, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3, 8 and 9, the other end of shaft 38 is journalled in an end supporting member I2 and has secured thereto a crank 53, to which is attached a rod 54, which rod 54 is reciprocated by crank 53 as shaft 36 rotates. Rod 5d is pivotally attached at 55 adjacent its other end to a rock arm 56, which rocks a rock shaft 51 journalled in end supportingmember I2., '.Ihe rock shaft 51 in turn rocksA an arm4 58 p'ivotally secured to an arm 59, which is in turn pivotally secured to one end of a bell crank lever 6|. VBell crank lever 8| is secured to a rotatable shaft 62 supported from base II, and the other end 60 thereof provides one bearing support 63 for a rotatable brush shaft 64, to which is secured a rotary brush 65.

A vertical arm 68 is also secured at its lower end to shaft 62 and is rockedin the same path as end 80 of bell crank lever 6| by shaft 62. The upper end of arm 66 is provided with a bearing 61 for one end` of brush shaft 6,4, AAlso secured to the end of brush shaft 64, radjacent, bearing 61, is a ratchet wheel 68 having notches 69 therein. A pawl or dog 1| is pivotally secured toarm B6 and is held normally in engagement with the notches 89 in the ratchetwheel by a tension spring 12 attached at one end to pawl 1| and at its other end to arm 66. As best shown in Figure 9, the brush 65 wipes through the individual U-shaped pockets 42 and is of suiicient depth and width to adequately contact and clean all the interior surfaces thereof. An open topped tank or container is supported frommain supporting members I2 and contains liquid, preferably water, in which portions of the brush 65 are submerged at all times and through which the brush moves and rotates, in a manner hereinafter described.

Referring to Figures 1, Sand 4 to'l inclusive, for a description of L-shapedY traveling end members or plates 13 for the individual pockets 42, as well as the drive therefor, a sprocket 14 is attached to shaft 4B on which idler sprocket43 is mounted, and sprocket 14 isintermittently driven thereby. VSprocket, 14,4 in turn,rdrives a chain 15 which rotates a sprocket 16 on A,a horizontal shaft 11 journalled in a bearing 18 provided in an angle member 19 secured to end supporting member I2. VA bevel gear Blis rotated by shaft 11, which bevel gear drives a :bevel gear 82 on a vertical shaft 83, which is provided with bearings 8d in angles 85 also secured to the end supporting member I2. 4

The upper end of vertical shaft 83 rotates a sprocket 89 secured thereto, which in turn rotates sprockets 81 and 88 on shafts 89 and 9|, respectively, through a chain 92. The chain passes over the sprockets 81 and 88 in such a manner that they are rotated in opposite directions, for a purpose hereinafter described. Thechain also passes over an idler sprocket 93 supportedl on a member 94. A plate 95 secured tothe end member I2 supports member 94 and shafts 89 and 9| extend through the plate 95.

Sprockets 96 and 91 are rotated in opposite directions by shafts 89 and 9|, respectively, and drive chains 98 and 99, to which are vsecured the end plates 13, so that the end plates 13 are aligned and driven intermittently with pockets 42. The chains 98 and 99 pass over idler sprockets |0| and |02, respectively, which are journalled onshafts |03 and |04 supported on brackets|05, which brackets |05 are supported by the main supporting rods I3, as best shown in Figure 7. Thus inner and outer runs are provided for each side plate conveyor. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, a pair of supporting plates |06'are provided for each of the chains 98 and 99, which are also supported on brackets |00 from the main supporting rods I3. Chain guides |01 are mounted on the innermost pair of plates I 06, as shown in Figure 6, which guides maintain the end plates 13 in proper relationship with the pockets 42.

Y As shown in Figures 4 and 6, preferably cards |08 are disposed in the pockets 42, either manually or by automatic means, such as disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 697,782, filed September 18, 1946, now Patent No. 2,512,074, for Packaging Machine for Candy, Cookies and the like, which cards are merely stiff cardboard in flat pieces to assist in wrapping the article to be packaged with paper or cellophane. The cards extend under the L-shaped end plates or guides 13, as shown in Figure 6.

Operation In operation, when the motor I4 is energized, it is operated continuously as long as articles are placed in the pockets 42 to be Wrapped. The motor I4 drives the chainAI, on which pockets 42 are mounted, intermittently, through the Geneva movement 32, 29 and 34 and moves the upper run of pockets,l step by step, to the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. The shaft 46 and sprocket 14, which are rotated intermittently by the conveyor chain 4|, intermittently move the guide plates 13 with the pockets 42 and prevent sidewise movement of the articlemto be wrapped and also guide the cards |08. This -is accomplished through the chain drive 15, bevel gears 8| and 82, shaft 83 land sprocket and chain 86 and 92, respectively. The articles to be wrapped are automatically removed from the pockets 42 and are delivered to a wrapping station by a suitable,sp1it ram or elevator (not shown) which is usually disposed adjacent the idler sprocket 39. rIhe fact that the side plates -are spaced from the open ends of the pockets are receptacles, and terminate some distance from the ends of upper run of the receptaclev conveyor, permits the use ofsuch an elevator. Such wrapping stations Iand elevators are well known in the art, `and since this mechanism forms no part of the present invention specically, further description thereof is dispensed with.

v As the pockets 4.2 intermittently vmove to the left in the lowervrun, as Vviewed in Figures 1 and 2, the Vbrush es is qscuiated by beu crank lever 6| and uprightiarmV 66, vfirst to the left. as viewedin Figure 3, passing through a pocket 42,. AfIhe friction ofthe brush passing 4through the pocket tends to rotate the brush 65 counterclockwisajbut such movement is prevented by the pawl 1| and ratchet 89. Thecrank 53 rotates at such speed with respect to the conveyor chainA 4| that the brush 65-is vreturned through `the same -pocket 42 to theY right in -Figure 3 before that pocket moves. On the return stroke, thebrush 65 is'rotated ,in-a -clockwise direction by the friction of the brush passing through the pocket. The brush f is, therefore, rotated through the water in the tank 10, to clean the brush of any sticky substances, suchfas molasses, for examplaand effectively cleans the pockets 42.

From the foregoing, it willbe apparent that I have provided-an improvedanduniquefpocket cleaning mechanism-of simple-design'- and 'proper- 1y timed operation with the pocket conveyor.

cieca-,561i

for cleaning conveyors withoutfdeparting from' the real spiritand purposeofvmyinvention, and it is my intention toi-cover by" :my-claims any modiiiedforms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope without' sacrificing any of the advantages thereof. A

v I'Sclaim ,as my invention;

-1\.'.In'combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality ofyopen ended receptacles, whichconveyor intermittently moves the receptacles from one position to the next position, the receptacles having a base and wall members extending from the base, the wall members lying in planes transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor; and a cleaning device comprising a brush, and means for moving said brush in a plane transverse'to the direction of motion of the moving conveyor, said brush being moved through the receptacles to be cleaned as the receptacle rests by reason oi the intermittent motion of the conveyor.

2. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of open ended receptacles, which conveyor intermittently moves the receptacles from one position to the next position, the receptacles having a base and Wall members extending from the base, the wall members lying in planes transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor; and a cleaning device comprising a bodily movable brush which is shaped to contact the interior surface of each receptacle, and means for oscillating said brush in a plane transverse to the direction of motion of said moving receptacles, said brush passing through the receptacles as the receptacles rest by reason of the intermittent motion of the endless conveyor.

3. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of open ended receptacles, which conveyor intermittently moves the receptacles from one position to the next position, the receptacles having a base and wall members extending from the base, the Wall members lying in planes transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor; and a cleaning device comprising a brush which is shaped to contact the interior surface of each receptacle, and means y for bodily moving said brush in a plane transverse to the direction of motion of said moving receptacles, said brush being oscillated a complete cycle through each receptacle when the receptacle is at rest by reason of the intermittent motion of the endless conveyor.

4. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of open ended receptacles, which conveyorintermittently moves the receptacles from one position to the next position, the receptacles having a base and wall members extending from the base, the wall members lying in planes transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor; and a cleaning device comprising a rotatably mounted brush, and means for bodily moving said brush in a plane transverse to the direction of motion of said moving conveyor, said brush being oscillated a complete cycle through each receptacle when the receptacle is at rest by reason of the intermit- 'tent motion of the endless conveyor, the fric- 5. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having Va plurality of open ended receptacles,

6 which conveyor intermittently moves the-receptacles from one position to the next position, the receptacles having a base and wall members extending from the base, the wall members lying -in planes vtransverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor; and a cleaning device comprising a rotatably mounted brush, means for bodily moving said brush in' a plane transverse to the direction of motion of said moving conveyor, said brush being oscillated a complete cycle through each receptacle when the receptacle is at rest by reason of the intermittent motion of the endless conveyor, the frictional contact between the brush and the receptacle causing rotation of said brush as the brush is moved in one direction, and

means for preventing rotation of said brush as it moves in the opposite direction.

6. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of open ended receptacles, which conveyor intermittently moves the receptacles from one position to the next position, the receptacles having a base and Wall members extending from the base, the wall members lying in planes transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor; and a cleaning device comprising a brush, means for bodily moving said brush in a plane transverse to the direction of motion of said moving conveyor, said brush passing through each receptacle as the receptacle rests by reason of the intermittent motion of the endless -conveyor, and a tank containing cleaning fluid in which said brush is partially submerged.

7. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of open ended receptacles, which conveyor intermittently moves the receptacles from one position to the next position, the receptacles having a base and wall members extending from the base, the wall members lying in planes transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor; and a cleaning devi-ce comprising a rotatably mounted brush, means for bodily moving said brush in a plane transverse to the direction of motion of said moving conveyor, said brush being oscillated a complete cycle through each receptacle when the receptacle is at rest by reason of the intermittent motion of the endless conveyor, the frictional contact between the brush and the receptacle causing rotation of said brush as the brush is moved in one direction, means for preventing rotation of said brush as it moves in the opposition direction, and a tank containing a cleaning iluid in which said rotating brush is partially submerged.

8. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of receptacles provided with open lateral ends, a scrubbing member movable in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor, and means for moving said scrubbing member through the open lateral ends of the -conveyor receptacles and along the lateral extent of the receptacles in engagement with the inner surfaces ci the receptacles for cleaning said surfaces.V

9. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of receptacles provided with open lateral ends, a scrubbing member bodily swingable in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor, and means -for oscillating said scrubbing member through the open lateral ends of the conveyor receptacles and along the lateral extent of the receptacles in engagement with the inner surfaces of the receptacles for cleaning said surfaces.

10. In combination, an endless moving conveyor having a plurality of receptacles provided.'

7. with open lateral ends, a rotatably 'mount'. eclv scrubbing member bodily swingable in a. plane transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor, means for oscillating said scrubbing member' through the open lateral ends of the conveyor receptacles and along the lateral extent of the receptacles in engagement with the innersurfaces of the receptacles for cleaning said surfaces, the rictional contact between the scrubbing member and the receptacle causing rotation of the scrubbing member `as the scrubbing member is swung in one direction, and means for preventing rotation of said scrubbing member as the scrubbing member is swung in the opposite dre tion.

OSCAR SANDBERG.

surnames uw? The following references, are ofV record in the le of this. patent:

UNITED: STATES, BATEN'ES Number Name Date 679,573 Potter July. 30, 1901 1,095,228 Phinney` et al. May 5, 1914 1,226,997 Peters et al. May 22., .1917 1,342,690 Pape June 8, 1920 2,356,537 Sandberg Aug. 22, 1944 2,403,374 Kalman et al July 2, 1946 2,538,708 Rose Jan. 29. 1952 

